2. Table of Contents
Learning Objectives ……………………….3-5
Resume ………………………………………6-7
Sample of Work..…………………………..8-16
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3. Learning Objective Reflections
A) Objective #1: I would like to be able to research, write and post GCN news stories
with no help direction from the journalist by Monday July 5th to prove to my boss, the
editor that I am capable of posting web stories on my own. This accomplishment would
show that I have taken the time to practice my researching and writing skills on my own
and that he can trust me do to these tasks so he does not have to take the time out of his
busy workday to check over them.
B) Learning Activities: The first step I must take to accomplish this objective is to
practice researching stories (on the web and posted journals) and writing them on my
own time while I am not in the office so I can better my skills for when I am doing it for
the company. Next, I am going to record the aspects I find most difficult or confusing to
me with the web journalist so that she can explain them in more detail so I can work on
my weaknesses both in the office and on my own time. I am also going to ask her for any
other advice she can give me to help me reach my full potential. Finally, I am going to
bring the stories I work on at home to the office to show the web journalist my work and
ask her if she could give me feedback on the strong and weak points of my projects.
C) Evaluation: I will be able to note when learning is taking place by taking the feedback
I receive from the web journalist and incorporating those comments into my research
strategies and story ideas. The evidence that will be present to indicate the progress that I
have made throughout the next two weeks will be will be when I bring in the stories I
worked on at home by myself and have the web journalist review them and share with me
what I did that was better than before. Finally, if one of my stories gets posted without
the editor or journalist reviewing it before it is posted, then I will know that I have met
my goal.
D) Reflection #1: I achieved learning objective #1, which was to be able to research,
write and post GCN news stories with no direction by July 5th. I was able to prove to my
boss and the deputy editor that I could post web stories that I had created on my own
without their supervision. The most challenging aspect of this goal was to learn how to
format all of the photos I had included into the size that would fit on the website design. I
did not anticipate this being an issue when I made this goal for myself but once I
overcame this challenge, it was a lot easier for me to complete and post stories. The work
day seems like it flies by because I do not have to stop and ask for direction as much as I
used to when I first started interning.
A) Objective #2: I would like to be able to develop stronger networking skills throughout
international companies by Friday July 1st. Building stronger networking skills will not
only make me a better more experienced intern but this will help me in the future when I
am job searching and looking into future careers.
B) Learning Activities: Everyday I will take the opportunity to talk with a new member
of the company and see how they got to where they are today. I will take advice from
their stories and relate them back to what I can do for my personal experience. Also, I
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4. will get to know the different employees who work for GCN better so that at the end of
my internship I can ask them what they think I would be most successful in, so I can get a
few business opinions about my work style.
C) Evaluation: My performance will be judged by the advice I take down from each
member I speak to and by July 1st I want to have at least 5 tips to help me with my
networking skills.
D) Reflection #2: I believed that I achieved this learning objective very well. I have
participated in all of the learning activities that I set for myself and went above and
beyond to get connected with the people that I work with and people I have met in the
city in general. I got to interview three different people who work at GCN with me that
are all in different branches of the magazine and it opened my eyes to what those job
titles are actually like on a day to day basis. I have also become extremely close to my
co-workers and my boss and they have given me various tips and suggestions about what
they think, judging by my work, I would be most successful at doing in the future. I am
very thankful for their suggestions and I am going to consider them when I am career
searching because they have gotten to know me on a work and personal level. The topics
they associate me with are ones that I have always seen myself pursuing and I have more
confidence now that they could see me doing them. I received a lot more than five tips
from each member of GCN and I am going to use those to benefit me in the future.
A) Objective #3: By the end of my internship on August 6th I want to be able to sit in on
a member meeting (where they discuss new ideas for the next issue) and be able to give
my input on the creative aspects and ideas of the magazine. This will show that I have
taken what I have gained during my internship and put it together with my own creativity
to come up with new and innovative ideas for the magazine issue.
B) Learning Activities: Throughout my internship I am going to listen and write down
all of the creative ideas that the members come up with on a day to day basis so I know
what types of creativity the company is looking for. I am also going to try and come up
with a few ideas before the last couple meetings and talk to one of the other employees
about what they think.
C) Evaluation: My performance will be measured by the response I get back from the
GCN member I speak with about my ideas for the magazine. GCN is a smaller, family-
like company and each employee is very open to helping me out with absolutely anything
I need and I feel like it has given me a lot of confidence to share my opinions with them.
I will know if I met my goal if I get asked to come to a meeting and share any ideas I
might have about the new issue.
D) Reflection #3: Although I have not reached the end of my internship yet, I have
achieved this goal stated in learning objective #3. I have been asked to attend two
editorial meetings and I got to give my input and ideas during each one. I am extremely
excited because I exceeded the goal I set out for myself by being able to attend two
editorials and my boss documented the ideas I contributed to the meeting. He said my
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5. ideas were very creative and he could tell that I had put a lot of time and thought into
them. I felt like I had accomplished so much in the two meetings I went to because each
member present listened to the insight I had and gave interesting and positive feedback
on them. I am very comfortable with sharing my input in the topics that are discussed in
the meetings, as well as in the office in general because of the results I have received
throughout my internship experience.
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6. Madison Davis
1612 W. 15th St. (785) 766-3172
Lawrence, KS 66044 mmd11@ku.edu
EDUCATION
The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Bachelor of Science, Women Gender and Sexuality Studies, Expected Graduation May 2011
Communication Studies Minor
Overall GPA: 3.20; Women Gender and Sexuality Studies GPA: 3.60
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Three years of Women Studies and Communications experience and education
Two summers of travelling abroad experience
International intern/work experience
WORK EXPERIENCE
Gay Community News Magazine, Dublin, Ireland
Intern Journalist/Editor June 2010-Present
Research and write news and gossip stories for the company website
Brainstorm, create and contribute ideas for upcoming magazine issues and company
advertisements
Pi Beta Phi, Lawrence, KS
Member of Standards and Policy Board August 2007-Present
Held weekly meetings to discuss chapter rules and regulations
Help members maintain the rules and regulations set for the chapter
The Niccoli Family, Scottsdale, AZ
Caretaker/Personal Assistant January 2005-Present
Organize and monitor daily activities for handicapped daughter
Plan and prepare special social events on a weekly basis
Goldie’s Sports Grill, Scottsdale, AZ
Hostess October 2006-March 2007
Operated and sent approximately 30 phone calls a day to proper extensions
Directed customers to their seating arrangements
Girly Girlz Boutique, Scottsdale, AZ
Party Hostess September 2005-May 2006
Prepared party decorations and event plans before events started
Painted nails and demonstrated formal hair styles on customers
Prepared and served tea and pastries to party guests
VOLUNTARY EXPERIENCE
Douglas County AIDS Project/Willow Domestic Violence Center, Lawrence, KS
Volunteer Employee December 2009-Present
Created and posted flyers across city for upcoming events
Complete administrative duties around both offices
Organized and put on “Jana Mackey Day of Service” events
Mountain Valley Church, Scottsdale, AZ
Nursery/Child Caretaker December 2003-Present
Watch over the nursery during church hours and help prepare and teach Sunday activities to
youth program
Deliver ‘Christmas Angel’ gifts to the correct receiving homes
The Goddard School, Scottsdale, AZ
Teacher/School Assistant July 2009-February 2010
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7. Assist teachers with daily routine and schedules
Completed a variety of organization and administration tasks given by office employees
ACTIVITIES AND HONORS
Pi Beta Phi Sorority, Lawrence, KS
Member of Kansas Alpha Chapter August 2007-Present
Obtain and demonstrate Pi Beta Phi standards regularly
Take part in numerous volunteer and charity events put on through chapter
Complete approximately 30+ hours of community service per semester
Pi Beta Phi Kansas Alpha Chapter, Lawrence, KS
Scholarship/Award Banquet
Most Improved GPA, 2008
Sunshine Committee Head Chairman, 2009
SKILLS
Proficient in Microsoft Windows, Word, PowerPoint, Access and Paint
Basic training in first aid and CPR
Experience with fax machines, photocopiers, and Apple products
Experience working with handicapped children
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8. 5 Demonstrations of Work
The pieces of work that are included are in the Irish format website setting, the
spelling is slightly different than the American spelling but I wanted to include them in
their original state, as they were posted on the GCN webpage.
Sample #1
News
US Gay Rights Group Gets UN Accreditation
The United Nations Economic and Social Council voted to accredit the United States
based International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission on Monday after strong
lobbying by the Obama administration.
In a statement issued by the White House, Obama welcomed the vote as an "important
step forward for human rights." With the group's inclusion, he added "the United Nations
is closer to the ideals on which it was founded, and to values of inclusion and equality to
which the United States is deeply committed."
According to commission officials, the group will be able to attend U.N. meetings,
submit statements and collaborate with both government and U.N. agencies on human
rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The U.S. based group’s application was approved by the 54-member council, known as
the ECOSOC. The U.S. government and 14 members of Congress who supported the
organization's application said they believe it had not been approved previously because
the group promotes gay rights.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission has been trying for three
years to get consultative status with ECOSOC, which serves as the main U.N. forum for
discussing international economic and social issues.
After the vote, Jessica Stern, the commission's program director, told AP they were
“thrilled”.
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9. She added: "Given that more than 70 countries still have sodomy laws in effect and that
homophobia is rampant around the world, this recognition by the international
community, and the human rights standards that the U.N. represents, is invaluable to our
work”.
Stern said that only nine of the 3,200 NGOs who enjoy consultative status in the U.N. are
gay and lesbian groups. Their accreditation is a victory for Obama, who has been
working at a long list of promises to gay voters.
The NGOs decided to take "no action" on the group's application last month.
After their "no action" decision, the United States decided to go directly to ECOSOC,
which is holding its annual meeting in New York.
Sample #1 The first sample I included is a News story that I wrote about the how
a United States Gay Rights Group received U.N. accreditation for the first time ever. I
worked on a number of news topics while I was completing my internship but I found
this news story extremely interesting because it was about a U.S. gay rights group. This
was the very first news story I developed that did not need to be revised by the editors
and with that said, I accomplished my goal of posting a story on the web without
supervision. While researching and creating this piece I learned new fascinating facts
about the issues that LGBT voters and advocates experience from a day to day basis, as
well as which ones are currently getting attention. I improved my researching skills and
how to compile a story out of a bunch of different facts and statements. This piece had an
impact on my values and behavior by opening my eyes to all of the issues and hurdles
gay activist and the LGBT community have to go through just to get one of their many
issues to be looked at or heard.
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10. Sample #2
News
Zimbabwean Constitution Will Not Protect Gay Rights
Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe has repeated his views on gay rights, saying they
will not be protected in the country's new constitution.
State media outlets reported that President Mugabe told an Apostolic Church gathering in
the country’s Marange district: "We say no to gay rights, we will not listen to those
advocating for their rights in the new constitution”.
As a result of a power-sharing deal between Mr Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe is drawing up a new constitution.
Mr Mugabe has been insistent that they will not be recognised after gay rights groups
pleaded for protection under the new legislation and once stated that gay people were
"worse than pigs and dogs".
Although gay couples are rarely prosecuted, sodomy is illegal in Zimbabwe. Including
gay rights in the constitution would overturn this.
However, the Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) has warned that gays
live in fear and are driven underground.
The group says that lesbians may be even more at risk than gay men because of
traditional ideas of women's sexuality even though they are not criminalised.
Despite the fact that GALZ usually escapes police harassment, two of its employees are
currently facing charges of breaching censorship laws after a police raid in May allegedly
found a pornographic DVD and booklets in their offices.
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11. Sample #2 The second piece I included is the very first news story that I
completed while I was interning at the magazine. The story was interesting to me because
I had never heard of the issues that are going on in Zimbabwe and how the president
views were affecting the LGBT community. Researching and writing stories such as
these, taught me so much that I would have never known about various issues that are
going on all over the world. I have learned the correct ways to research stories that give
the most factual information and discovered search engines and journals that will be
extremely helpful in the future. This project impacted my over my behavior working at
the magazine overall because once I was finished, the editors reviewed my work and
helped me with the areas that were not as strong. I felt a lot better after they went over my
project with me because it gave me more confidence while I was working on other web-
stories.
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12. Sample #3
Lifestyle
GENERAL FEATURES
Is The Supreme Court Ready For Gay Judges?
The nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court and the absence of gay jurists in
the federal judiciary have sparked debate about the invisibility of gay people throughout
the judicial appointments process.
While the U.S. Senate embarks on President Obama’s hearings for the nomination of
Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, it is worth recognising that if it’s approved, this will
be the first time in history that three female Justices will sit together on the Court.
The Court consists of an African-American, a Latina and Kagan would be the third
Jewish addition.
As diverse as this collection would be, it would still lack an openly gay or lesbian Justice,
leaving gay people along with Asian Americans as one of the last minority groups not
represented in the Court’s membership.
Although in recent times President Obama nominated a gay man, Edward DuMont to
serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal District, no openly gay man or woman
has ever served on one of the intermediate federal appellate courts.
This troubling reality is significant because (with Kagan as the exception) almost all of
the nominees to the Supreme Court over the last forty years have been promoted from
those courts.
There are currently over six hundred federal district court judges that the absence of gay
jurists at the trial level is also conspicuous.
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13. It is very questionable that the federal judiciary remains one of the last important
institutions where gay people seem ‘not to be welcomed’ at a time when there are several
openly gay individuals serving in America’s state legislatures, leading universities and
corporate boardrooms.
Many citizens would also suitably question the authenticity of rulings issued by such a
homogeneous group of judges, due to the fact that such low numbers would be clear
evidence of discrimination in the process of judicial appointments.
This state of affairs is disconcerting given that the primary enforcers of federal
constitutional law, the federal courts, have consistently played an essential role in
protecting the rights of minorities throughout the United States.
In a recent Gallup poll, 85% of Americans believe that gay people should have equal
employment opportunities and the majority of ‘Fortune 500’ companies have policies in
place that protect lesbians and gay men from discrimination.
When it comes to sexual orientation, however, the makeup of the federal judiciary
remains fundamentally resistant to change.
More importantly, it is the federal judiciary that will soon determine the constitutionality
of the Defense of Marriage Act and of California's constitutional amendment banning
same-sex marriage.
The author of “From The Closet to the Courtroom”, Carlos Ball states that “as the
hearings on President Obama's latest Supreme Court nominee begin, it is important that
we remind our leaders that having a diverse bench does not end with considerations of
race and gender”.
Sample #3 The third sample of work I included is considered a ‘Lifestyle’ topic,
which starts out with a question in the title/topic of the article. I wanted to show other
stories I completed besides the news topics and lifestyle was one of the topics I worked
with as well. This feature discusses whether the Supreme Court is ready for gay judges or
not. This topic is a very controversial issue because there is a split in opinion throughout
the court. This piece was a featured story and was the only ‘feature’ piece I developed
throughout my internship. I learned about the different sides and views of the Supreme
Court opinions and how to conceptualize them into a story without giving any of my own
opinions. This impacted my behavior and values because I did not realize how difficult it
was to write a story without adding any personal beliefs or opinions and just sticking to
what is given to you. I was extremely proud of this piece when it was featured on the
website.
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14. Sample #4
Gossip
Frasier Star Speaks Of Prop 8 Pain
David Hyde Pierce, former Frasier actor spoke of his anger regarding Proposition 8, the
initiative which banned gay marriage in California.
The star who played Niles Crane in the show, has always managed to keep his personal
life extremely private. Pierce married his partner of 25 years, TV producer, Brian
Hargrove in the autumn of 2008, just before Prop 8 was passed by voters.
Speaking in a candid interview with Metro, Pierce said: "As a person who is least happy
calling attention to themselves, to have to be suddenly very public about their life, and
who felt very angry about the government interfering, was very painful."
He added: "I'd love to just shut up about gay rights but so many gay men are not able to
live their lives in the same meaningful way as other people."
Sample #4 The fourth article I included is a gossip story. My favorite area to
research and write about is the gossip section of the website. Although these articles are
the shortest ones, they are by far the most fun to write for me. I got to write a bunch of
gossip pieces but I picked the two that were my favorite. This was one of my favorites
because the story behind it is so positive about the LGBT community and while I was
researching stories, there were many negative statements. I am very familiar with Frasier
(TV show) and the information I came across while researching was extremely appealing
to me. I learned all about David Pierce and how he has lived life as a gay star and how he
is very private about his personal life experiences. This story impacted my outlook on
how hard it is for LGBT people to stay out of the spotlight in a negative way and made
me realize that their community has been stereotyped in the wrong way.
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15. Sample #5
Gossip
Nip/Tuck Gets A Lift From Logo
The surgeons of the outrageous medical drama “Nip/Tuck” are checking into Logo.
The gay-oriented cable network announced on Thursday that they had acquired
syndication rights for “Nip/Tuck” and will start broadcasting episodes in October.
"Nip/Tuck" was created by Ryan Murphy, who's also the creator of Fox’s hit series
“Glee”. The show's popular stars are Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon.
One night during prime time, installments for the drama, which originally aired on FX,
will air in three-episode stacks, with a new stack each week.
Additionally, all 100 episodes of the series, which ran for seven seasons before
concluding this year, will be shown as well.
Logo's senior vice president of multiplatform programming, Marc Leonard stated, "The
celebrity guests, moments of jaw-dropping outrageousness and honest depiction of its gay
characters and their friends made the series a perfect fit for our audience”.
Leonard commented that “At the end of the day, we see it as a love story between two
straight guys who are challenged by the family that they've created -- and that's pretty
fierce."
Sample #5 The fifth piece I included was hands down my favorite story I got to
do while I was at GCN. Nip/Tuck is my all time favorite television show and I have not
missed one episode. In addition to gossip being the most exciting topic to write about, I
did not have to compile as much research because I already had background information
on this article. I learned some new intriguing details about the new season and the
plotline that is going to be released next and it got me very excited to watch the first
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16. episode to see what happens once it airs. This piece, along with all of the others included
has impacted my entire mind-set about the LGBT communities all across the world. Each
of the various countries and cities has their own issues and dilemmas they experience
under every section I got the chance to write about. I wanted illustrate a small sample of
this impact by including a piece from each of the sections on the website. I believe that
everyone is affected by these issues in one form or another and it is important for the
world to stay updated on the current status of each country.
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